# Source: https://learn.adafruit.com/li-ion-and-lipoly-batteries/rechargeable-lithiums-names.md

# Li-Ion & LiPoly Batteries

## Rechargeable Lithium Names

There are nearly a dozen different chemistries of rechargable lithium ion batteries but we will be specifically talking about Lithium Ion and Lithium Ion Polymer as a group.![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/977/medium800/components_batts.jpg?1396767539)

On the left you can see two Lithium Ion Polymer cells. On the right, two packs made of cylindrical Lithium Ion batteries

Lithium Ion cells tend to be either rectangular or cylindrial. They are hard-shelled with a strong casing. They often weigh a little more and come in larger capacity but they are also more sturdy and are hard to puncture. They're often used for laptop batteries and other big packs. These are often called:

- Lithium Ion
- Li-Ion
- LiIon
- LiCo (lithium cobalt, the anode chemistry)

Lithium Ion Polymer cells tend to be thin rectangles in a silvery bag. They are soft-shelled and have an easy to damage casing. They often weigh a little less and come in smaller capacity. You can fit them into smaller devices such as tiny iPods. These are often called:

- Lithium Ion Polymer
- Li-Poly
- LiPoly
- LiPo

Despite the structural differences, you should treat them similarly and consider them two versions ('gentle and light' 'tough and strong') of the same kind of battery.

- [Previous Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/li-ion-and-lipoly-batteries/overview.md)
- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/li-ion-and-lipoly-batteries/voltages.md)

## Featured Products

### Adafruit Micro Lipo - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger

[Adafruit Micro Lipo - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1304)
Oh so adorable, this is the tiniest little lipo charger, so handy you can keep it any project box! Its also easy to use. Simply plug in the gold plated contacts into any USB port and a 3.7V/4.2V lithium polymer or lithium ion rechargeable battery into the JST plug on the other end. There are...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1304)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1304/guides)
### USB LiIon/LiPoly charger

[USB LiIon/LiPoly charger](https://www.adafruit.com/product/259)
This is a Lithium Ion and Lithium Polymer battery charger based on the [MCP73833](http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?dDocName=en027785). It uses a USB mini-B for connection to any computer or 'USB wall adapter'. Charging is performed in three stages: first a...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/259)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/259/guides)
### USB/DC  Lithium Polymer battery charger 5-12V

[USB/DC  Lithium Polymer battery charger 5-12V](https://www.adafruit.com/product/280)
Charge your single-cell lithium ion/polymer battery any which way you like with this board. Have a USB connection? No problem, just plug into the miniUSB connector. Only have a wall adapter? Any standard 2.1mm DC adapter which puts out 5 to 12VDC will work fine. If both are plugged in, the...

No Longer Stocked
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/280)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/280/guides)
### Lithium Ion Battery Pack - 3.7V 6600mAh

[Lithium Ion Battery Pack - 3.7V 6600mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/353)
Need a massive battery for your project? This lithium-ion pack is made of 3 balanced 2200mAh cells for a total of 6600mA capacity! The cells are connected in parallel and spot-welded to a protection circuit that provides over-voltage, under-voltage, and over-current protection.

Each cell...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/353)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/353/guides)
### Lithium Ion Battery Pack - 3.7V 4400mAh

[Lithium Ion Battery Pack - 3.7V 4400mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/354)
Need a big battery for your project? This lithium-ion pack is made of 2 balanced 2200mAh cells for a total of 4400mA capacity! The cells are connected in parallel and spot-welded to a protection circuit that provides over-voltage, under-voltage, and over-current protection.

Each cell can...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/354)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/354/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 2500mAh

[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 2500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/328)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of **2500mAh** for a total of about 10 Wh. If you need a smaller battery, <a...></a...>

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/328)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/328/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh

[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/258)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 1200mAh for a total of about 4.5 Wh. If you need a larger battery, <a...></a...>

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/258)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/258/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh

[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 500mAh for a total of about 1.9 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!) battery, <a...></a...>

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1578/guides)

## Related Guides

- [Sound Activated Shark Mask](https://learn.adafruit.com/sound-activated-shark-mask.md)
- [SNES EZ Key Bluefruit Game Pad](https://learn.adafruit.com/snes-ez-key-bluefruit-game-pad.md)
- [Color-sensor Driven NeoPixel Dress](https://learn.adafruit.com/color-sensor-driven-neopixel-dress.md)
- [Adafruit MicroLipo and MiniLipo Battery Chargers](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-microlipo-and-minilipo-battery-chargers.md)
- [Cartoon Network and Make Code - Rose Quartz Shield Umbrella](https://learn.adafruit.com/cartoon-network-and-make-code-rose-quartz-shield-umbrella.md)
- [Ursula's Seashell Necklace](https://learn.adafruit.com/ursulas-seashell-necklace.md)
- [Wireless Control Button for WLED Projects](https://learn.adafruit.com/wireless-control-button-for-wled-projects.md)
- [Bunny Ears with MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/bunny-ears-with-makecode.md)
- [VU Meter Baseball Hat](https://learn.adafruit.com/vu-meter-baseball-hat.md)
- [Glowing Fascinator Hat with Gemma M0 and MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/glowing-fascinator-hat-gemma-m0-makecode.md)
- [LED Masquerade Masks](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-masquerade-masks.md)
- [Han Solo Blaster Cosplay](https://learn.adafruit.com/han-solo-blaster-cosplay.md)
- [Convert your Model M Keyboard to Bluetooth with Bluefruit EZ-Key HID](https://learn.adafruit.com/convert-your-model-m-keyboard-to-bluetooth-with-bluefruit-ez-key-hid.md)
- [Chameleon Scarf](https://learn.adafruit.com/chameleon-scarf.md)
- [Kaleidoscope Eyes (Trinket-Powered NeoPixel LED Ring Goggles)](https://learn.adafruit.com/kaleidoscope-eyes-neopixel-led-goggles-trinket-gemma.md)